Have you ever wondered what it looks like to be a web designer? We believe that we have some of the best in the business here at Dogwood and we wanted to give an inside scoop on their day to day jobs. We sat down with Tim Enkboll, one of our web designers, and learned about all of the ins and outs of designing websites for clients. Check it out:
What does your job entail?
I am responsible for managing, updating, and enhancing our clients websites. That has expanded to fully building out sites, contributing to design direction for sites, graphic design, and photography for both internal use and clients. I joke about being a swiss army knife, being able to do more than just one thing.
What is your favorite and least favorite part of designing a website?
Favorite part is seeing an idea take form and get flushed out into a great-looking website. The design process amazes me every time.
Least favorite part is the data entry. A guy can only hit cmd+c and cmd+v so many times.
Why is WordPress the best place to build your website?
WordPress actually understands the needs of the developers and the third-party app support is incredible. WordPress is truly like a good piece of clay that can be shaped and molded into any form to meet the needs of the clients.
What is Elementor?
Elementor is a visual builder for WordPress. So instead of lines of jumbled HTML, CSS, and JS code, a web designer can build visually with blocks, dynamic features, and the ability to actually see the site you’re building in live time. Having a frontend builder like this dramatically cuts down on development time, reduces bugs from missing pieces of code, and makes maintenance a breeze since everything you need is truly right in front of you.
What are some important things that every website should have?
Sites need to have a centralized message. Like what is the point of your site? Is it to drive an in-person visit to your store, submit a contact form to your organization, schedule an appointment to your office? Whatever it is it needs to be clearly and aesthetically laid out so your ideal customer knows exactly where to get the information they need and/or do the task your site is set out to do.
Also, mobile responsiveness is huge since more than 50% of your site traffic will typically come from a mobile device.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I like referring to site building like building an actual building. You want to start with the structure. A good foundation of site menu, page navigation, and sitemap are huge. How else are you supposed to construct the building if you don’t know what all it is going to contain. Then as the content goes up like the walls of a house you see the site truly take its shape. The final pieces of crown molding, paint, and fixtures.
If you need a new website or just a facelift, give us a call! Tim or one of our other web designers would be happy to design your perfect site fit just for you and your business.
